2014 Scarf Swap

Over the past few weeks, I've had so much fun participating in The Perfect Catch Blog's 2014 Scarf Swap If you follow me on instagram, you know that I couldn't wait to share the fabulous scarves I received. 

When I saw the scarf swap post I had actually just tried and failed at planning a scarf swap party with some of my friends. (womp womp)  We just couldn't coordinate our schedules and so I decided to try again next year.  Chelsea to the rescue! As soon as I read the title, I was racing to say I was in.  

 I just  LOVE scarves and they are a staple in my winter wardrobe.  So needless to say, I was stoked!  The added bonus in participating in this scarf swap is that I would be paired with a partner I didn't know.  Sort of like a childhood pen pal!  

The partners were announced a few days later and I was lucky enough to be paired with Chelsea herself. I felt super special and I just knew her taste would mesh with mine perfectly.  If you haven't checked out her blog you definitely should. She has great taste and I just love this recent Houston Mom's Blog post she did about the best Target dupes for fall.

Throughout the past couple of weeks we have gotten to know each other through email and even had the chance to meet in person at the last Houston Mom's Blog night out event. 

Now the fun part, I got my package last week! It was like Christmas and I was so excited that I didn't take pictures of the adorable packaging. Luckily, you can see Chelsea's added touches here and follow along with everyone else who participated. I am in love with these two scarves and I am excited to add them into my scarf rotation. 

I love the classic vibe of the buffalo check and the playfulness of the leopard print. Classic and playful pretty much sum up my style perfectly.  I also love the Loft hair ties and gasp...I haven't actually ever used these types of ties before.  Late to the party, I know.  I was so excited about the leopard print scarf I've already taken it out for a test drive and I have a bathroom selfie to prove it.  ;) 

This scarf is such a steal and is so lightweight that even though it's still warm in Houston I was able to wear it all day.  I can't wait to achieve the same selfie greatness with my beautiful buffalo check scarf.  Keep your eye out, I won't disappoint. ;) 

Chelsea, Thank you for the great scarf swap experience and for taking this new blogger under your wings.  I look forward to getting to know you better and for the continued opportunity to learn from a seasoned blogger like yourself! 

momspirational mondays: patience is a virtue

Unfortunately, I don't have a guest post for this Monday but there a few things in my head so I'm going to go ahead and write my own post. No need to worry, some of my favorite mommy inspirations are working away on their posts and we should have one of those ready next week! 

Patience is a virtue, not one that I possess but a virtue none the less. I am always working to improve in this area. More often than not, I end the day wishing I had been a little more patient with my husband, at my job and even with my sweet girl.

In my head I usually make everything more complicated than it really is.  Even as I write this I'm questioning if patience is always a good quality to have. Like most things, I think it just depends.  In my current circumstance, God is telling me to yet again be patient. The desires of my heart don't match with the desires of my pocketbook and man that can be hard to swallow.  (Especially while working full time with a great and expensive education to pay off) 

What do you do when you're at a crossroads in life? How do I keep my mind focused on the present when I just want to know what God has planned for my future?

For now, I'm just going to enjoy every second I get with this precious girl! (excuse the less than ideal iphone pic)

For your own adorable onesie or toddler t-shirt check out The Little Goose Shop

Amelia,

Sweet girl, mommy isn't going to be much help on this subject.  The best advice I have is to remember that life is a marathon and not a sprint.  Try to enjoy the here and now instead of always looking to the future. For a person with high aspirations and life goals like your mommy, all of this is easier said than done. God has a plan so put your faith in him and take on each day one at a time. 

8 pumping essentials: at home, at work and on the go

Since entering into this new world of motherhood I've been asked a few times about my experience breastfeeding.  I remember once being on the outside of this group looking in and having all the same questions. Which is why I decided to put keyboard to screen and whip this post together.  While this blog is mostly personal my goal is to also make it informative. These are the products/techniques that I found to be essential during the 10 months I spent nursing and pumping! 

Amelia had a hard time getting the hang of nursing at first.  We nursed exclusively in the hospital and after realizing she just wasn't getting the hang of it I hooked up to my pump for the first time.  I got a pathetic amount of colostrum and it really was "liquid gold" as it is popularly referred to. Amelia eventually went on to latching successfully and we did a hybrid of nursing and pumping over the next 10 months.  Nursing and pumping are a labor of love, by the end of the 10 months I was ready to burn my pump as if I was burning my bra with those chicks in the 60's. (Forgive me for not caring enough to google when that actually happened and why, that's not what you're here for anyway)  Needless to say, while you're participating in this labor of love you might as well make it as easy as possible.